RealGM Wiretap

Jackson: Ellis Ranks As NBA's Third Best SG

Jun 13, 2011 10:17 AM

As reports surfaced early last week that the Golden State Warriors and Sixers have talked about a trade of Monta Ellis for Andre Iguodala, new Warriors coach Mark Jackson said he would like Ellis to remain in Golden State.

"I want Monta Ellis on this basketball team," Jackson told reporters at his introductory news conference. "This guy is a big-time player. And I think he's the third best shooting guard in the league. You have Kobe, obviously, and Dwyane Wade. I will match [Ellis] up against anybody else on a given night and feel extremely comfortable about it."

Jackson did admit that Ellis could improve defensively.

"You can nitpick what he can and can't do, but at the end of the day, a coach will look brilliant if he has a guy who can go make a play," Jackson said. "He's a flat-out scorer. He's a much-improved, underrated passer and facilitator. He's a guy I embrace on this team . . . He's an outstanding player who I look forward to coaching."